Cycling tights - confused!

[DebTX]

I wore my Pearl Izumi leg warmers today and was annoyed to find they "fall down". I had tucked the top up under the grippers of my shorts, but none the less, I had to stop now and then to retuck.

Now I'm thinking I should invest in a pair of "full length shorts/cycling pants" (I don't know what they're called). My first thought was that PI must make a full length version of the shorts I love (it took forever to find the perfect fit).

But then I started browsing in TE and saw some cycling "tights" and wondered, "how do you wear them?" The pair I was looking at say "No chamois"

So how do you use tights? Under your bike shorts?

[Veronica]

I wear my tights that don't have a chamois over my bike shorts.

Veronica

[kiwi girl]

I wear my tights that don't have a chamois over my bike shorts.

Veronica

ditto

[DebTX]

I wear my tights that don't have a chamois over my bike shorts.

Veronica

Thanks for letting me know.

Since they're over your bike shorts (which is where the chamois and fit are so important), do you have to buy an expensive brand of tights or can I save a bit here?

I once scrimped on a pair of shorts, and yikes, I discovered this is NOT the place to save money. So now I ask.

Also, do you size up the tights? Or just buy your normal size.

Thanks!

[indysteel]

There are some tights out there that have a chamois. However, I, too, wear tights without a chamois over bike shorts or knickers. I like having two layers over my butt. I like Sugou tights the best.

[7rider]

If you're riding in temps where knee warmers are adequate, but find the droop to be annoying, you may find full tights to be too warm for you. You may want to consider knickers, such as these. Shorter than full length tights, usually with a chamois, and generally not as warm as tights. Personally, I find them great for the 50-degree range, but different folks have different tolerances.

[Veronica]

I guess it depends on how cold it where you're riding. I have a cheap pair of tights from REI that I wear to run in. But I'd never wear them on the bike because they don't have enough wind resistance. I HATE to be cold.

While we don't have the freezing temps that some chicks are riding in, I have been out in the low 30s and I want to be warm.

Veronica

[Aggie_Ama]

Deb- For mid temps we have in Texas I am partial to knickers. I don't like to spend a lot so I have some Pearl Izumi Sugar Knickers. DH found them at Bicycle Sport Shop for Christmas last year. My Specialized leg warmers don't budge, are yours possibly too big?

I wear unpadded tights over shorts myself. My favorites are some you can find at Performance because they have zippers and stay in place pretty good. My back up pair I like quite a bit are Cannondale tights we got back when 360 Cycleworks was open. Actually overall I am partial to Cannondale shorts as well. REI carries Cannondale, Nelo's might since they are a Cannondale shop. But personally we don't get colod nearly enough to spend too much on cold weather clothes, unless of course you got it to burn. I would go to REI (hint Clearance starts 1/9) or Performance.

V- She lives in my area. While we do see blustery 30's, upper 40's and low 50's are most common for winter highs. Just shocks the heck out of us Texans when it dips below 60!

[jobob]

I wear Smartwool wool tights over my knickers, they work great. Unfortunately the microlight ones aren't very durable so I have lots of holes in them. But since I wear them over knickers anyhow the holes are not all that obvious.

Now the problem I'm running into is that I cannot find the Smartwool tights in black in either microweight or lightweight. My usual sources (TE, REI, Backcountry) appear to be out of them and they are on backorder from Smartwool. Bah!

[kfergos]

I wear my old running tights over my bike shorts. I'd go with some comfortable ones that work for you -- I often layer up on the tights -- but don't worry about getting super-fancy name brand tights. Your good shorts are what really count in this department, so if you can find good warm off-brand tights, go for it.

[Becky]

Ditto what kfergos said. I don't spend a lot on tights, but I'll spend a fortune on the shorts that go under them!

[kermit]

I picked up a pair of Canari tights from ebay for about $20. They have a light chamois and are just enough for extra warmth. I too hate the leg warmers, slippage sucks!

[beccaB]

I like the sleekness of wearing a pair of padded bike tights, and the ones I purchased from Sierra Trading post are warm and didn't cost a lot. However, I'm having a problem with winter hives on my legs and rear end and hip area, and I wondered... does anyone wear something over their padded full leg bike tights?
It seems like if I can keep my legs almost overly warm, I don't get the hives.

[Aquila]

Becca,

I've gone so far as to wear long johns (both silk ones and more high tech ones) over shorts and under biking tights.

You're sure the hives aren't more a heat rash?

[beccaB]

Becca,

I've gone so far as to wear long johns (both silk ones and more high tech ones) over shorts and under biking tights.

You're sure the hives aren't more a heat rash?

Yes, I never get them in warm weather, and it's always when I am starting out really cold. It's red with welts and little bumps underneath.